Apple Braided Solo Loop

Content

• Apple Braided Solo Loop
• Different collections from Apple
• Braided Solo Loop size
• A better fit ensures better measurements
• Maintenance of the Apple Braided Solo Loop
• How do you clean the Apple Braided Solo Loop?
• How do you (dis)assemble the Apple Braided Solo Loop from your Apple Watch?
• Fake or real band?
• Tips to prevent skin irritations

Apple Braided Solo Loop

The Braided Solo Loop is one of the newest Apple band types, released along with the Leather Link & Solo Loop in autumn 2020. The Braided Solo Loop is made of thousands of polyester threads woven together and, along with the Solo Loop, is the first Apple band that is not adjustable. Instead, the wearer buys the band customised from one of 18 (now 21) size options.

These bands were released when Covid-19 was just entering the world. So people didn't really want to touch anything and shops were closed, this meant you had to measure the size yourself. This is where Apple came up with something that allows you to measure yourself properly and not order a band that is way too big. Apple has released a total of 22 Solo Loop straps, from Abyss Blue to Pistachio and from Beige to Electric Orange.

Different Collections from Apple

Apple has released different collections such as the (RED) collection, Pride Edition and Black Unity, which support charities against AIDS and human rights organisations. For the Braided Solo Loop, Apple has also created straps to match these three collections. For instance, they have a black braided strap with green, red and yellow sprinkles on it for the Black Unity collection. For the Pride collection, they designed a multicolour braided strap and for the (RED) collection, they released an all-red strap. By buying these straps, you can do your bit for charities fighting against AIDS and for human rights for people of colour and the LGBTQA+ community. 

Click on this link and learn more about the different collections from Apple Watch straps at SB Supply!

Braided Solo Loop size

The Apple Braided Solo Loop is available for the 38mm, 40mm, 41mm and the 42mm, 44mm, 45mm and 49mm Apple Watch cases. 

For the Braided Solo Loop, you need to measure your wrist yourself to order the right size. Apple has done this using sizes 1 to 9. To make sure which one you need, Apple has explained the correct way to measure in this document. But for the best experience, visit an Apple Store and get measured and/or try on straps.

To find out your size the other way, two ways to do this are explained below. It is important to measure for the lump that sits on your wrist. To measure your wrist, you will need a string or cord and a ruler or tape measure. It can also be done with just a tape measure, this is explained in method 2.

Method 1: To find out what wrist size you have 1. Grab a piece of string or cord 2. Wrap the string around your wrist 3. Make sure it fits snugly around your wrist 4. Hold the string where the end meets 5. Then lay the string or cord along a ruler 6. See how long the string is 7. This is your wrist size!

Method 2: Measure Apple watch size 1. Take a tape measure 2. Put the tape measure around your wrist 3. See where the end of the tape measure meets 4. This is your wrist size!

A better fit makes for better measurements

Maintenance of the Apple Braided Solo Loop

Keeping your Apple Watch and strap clean and dry will keep it comfortable to wear and will ensure that your Apple Watch and strap will still function well in the long run. This is especially important after a workout or exposure to liquids such as sweat, soap, sunscreen and lotions that can cause skin irritation

How do you clean the Apple Braided Solo Loop?

It is important to take good care of your Apple Watch straps, as this will help them last as long as possible and keep them functioning properly.

To clean the bracelet, you need to follow the following steps:

1. Clean the strap with a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth. If necessary, lightly moisten the cloth with clean water. 
2. Dry the bracelet with a lint-free, non-abrasive cloth before attaching it to your Apple Watch.

For cleaning your other Apple Watch bands, you can find more information here: How to clean your Apple Watch band.

How do you (dis)assemble the Apple Braided Solo Loop from your Apple Watch?

Changing your Apple Watch strap is very easy! What you need to check beforehand is whether you have the right size strap for your Apple Watch. You have two different sizes: 38mm/ 40mm/ 41mm and the 42mm/ 44mm/ 45mm/ 49mm. If you are not quite sure which size Apple Watch you have? Click here to find out which Apple Watch size you have. 

Follow these three steps to change your Apple Watch strap:

1. Turn your Apple Watch over, so that you have the back of the Apple Watch.
2. Hold down the strap release button on the Apple Watch. 
3. Slide the band out of the slot to remove and slide the new band in. Does the band not move? Then press the unlock button again and try sliding the band out of the slot.

See the image below for a visual representation:  

Never force a band into the Apple Watch's slot. If you fail to remove or insert the Apple Watch band, press the bands unlock button again.

Fake or real band?

Braided Solo Loops were a new addition to Apple's line-up, starting with the Series 6 in autumn 2020. The woven yarn is easy to reproduce, making them harder to distinguish from the fakes. However, very few fakes reproduce how Apple does the buttons on these bands, making fakes easier to spot.

1. Original packaging > Is the original packaging included?
2. Price > A strap cheaper than €20 is not realistic, as Apple often maintains its value.
3. Size print > On the inside, the size is indicated on both sides, or e.g. S or e.g. 40mm.  
4. Imprint 'Assembled in China' > Apple's connector says 'Assembled in China'. 
5. Imprint on the side of the connector pin > There is a very small imprint of a code on the side of the connector pin.
6. Other materials and colours > Look carefully at the material of the straps that it is not plastic. See the Bandbreite app to make sure the colour is actually released by Apple.
7. Neater finish > Look closely at the finish of the edges. Apple always provides a nice finish.
8. The connectors are made of metal.
9. Inform yourself > The more you know about the original straps, the sooner you can fish out the fake versions.

Tips to avoid skin irritations

The Braided Solo Loop strap is made of: Polyester yarn interwoven with silicone thread.

Tips to prevent skin irritation or hypersensitivity 

 

Indications that it is a genuine Apple Band	Indications that it is a fake Apple-Band
The lugs are metal and go over the fabric.	The strap has plastic lugs.
The fabric of the strap widens as it gets to the lugs (as sports straps do, so it looks like the strap organically merges with the watch)	The woven part of the strap has a constant width and does get wider at the lugs.
40/41 mm or 44/45 mm along with a numerical size mark ( 1-12) is laser etched on the metal edge of one of the lugs.	The laser edge on the lugs is missing.
"Assembled in China" is etched on the other cam.	The weave pattern looks different from the Apple bands.
Because of the way they are made, the braided solo loops are not as wide as the width of the Apple Watch.   As a result, you may notice that you can see a little bit of the inside of the lug channel on either side of the band when it is attached to your watch. This is normal and NOT a sign that the band is fake.	The strap looks like a textile strap but is made of silicone.
Starting with Series 7 (41/45 mm markings), the fabric is denser and metallic and the bands have better tensile strength.	Only available in a few sizes (e.g. S, M, L) instead of the numbered sizes used by Apple.